The forum, which was held in the Mehegan classroom at A.T. Still University, gave voters a chance to learn more about the two Republican candidates before they face off in the Aug. 5 primary election for the 3rd district seat.

The candidates clashed over several issues that face the state, including Medicaid expansion, tort reform and the Amendment 7 proposal.

During the health care portion of the forum, each candidate was asked to take a stance on the idea of possible Medicaid expansion in Missouri. Bailey said he’s against Medicaid expansion of any sort and that “Medicaid is not a good functioning system.”

Bailey said that he tended to and had seen many Medicaid patients but suggested that Medicaid expansion would be devastating to the state and to physicians if put into place right now.

“Medicaid expansion right now, the way the system is in Missouri, would be devastating,” Bailey said. “It would be devastating to our medical community which is also already going through hard times because of a lot of the problems going on with insurance.”

Walker said that he opposes the current Medicaid expansion proposal, and said that Medicaid needs a major “transformation” and the government needs to look at ways to make the program “more efficient.”

Walker also said that Medicaid expansion isn’t going to happen in Missouri unless there’s a major reform and that he would support looking at the reforms and analyzing what will be best for all people.

Bailey implied that Walker was “backpedaling” now and claimed that Walker previously said he was for Medicaid expansion, to which Rep. Walker replied, “I’ve been down there in the trenches.”

Walker also said that if there is a good plan for Medicaid expansion he will work towards finding a solution rather than voting “no” all the time.

“We’ve got to do more than just say no all the time. We’ve got to solve problems and make sure that the real needs of the communities and the real needs of north Missouri are met,” Walker said.

The two were also asked to address their thoughts on tort reform in the nation’s health care system. Tort reform refers to a proposed laws that attempt to put limits on the ability to file claims cap the the amount of damages that may be awarded in personal injury lawsuits.

Bailey, who has served as Medical Director and Chief of Staff at Northeast Regional Medical Center and as a north Missouri physician since 1997, took a strong stance and addressed the 10 malpractice lawsuits against him.

“There’s many frivolous lawsuits in the state of Missouri. As my opponent has brought out, I’ve been sued 10 times, that’s common knowledge apparently now,” Bailey said. “But that’s common across the United States of orthopedic surgeons.

“Unfortunately, we can’t control who sues us. We have to defend this and there’s a lot of cost going to defend us.”

Bailey suggested the implementation of a loser pay system, where the loser pays the winner’s attorney’s fees.

“The way it is now if we lose the case or if we win a case, we still have to pay for it and it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend everyone of those lawsuits,” he said.

Walker stated that he’s always supported tort reform in the past and rebutted with, “Not all suits that are brought upon are frivolous. If all these cases were frivolous, I’m sure they were all dropped. But they weren’t.”

“Again, a majority of lawsuits are frivolous,” Bailey responded. “Just because someone has a bad outcome, doesn’t mean we did anything wrong.”

During the constitutional amendment portion of the forum, the two were asked to give their thoughts on the proposed amendments that voters will be asked to put into law on Aug. 5.

The two were not on the same page about the current Amendment 7 proposal, which would establish a transportation sales tax.

Walker stated that he supported the proposed amendment and that he plans on voting “yes“ because there’s a “major” need for road improvement in the 3rd district and that “infrastructure and roads are a part of economic development plan.”

Bailey, however, did not support the proposed amendment and said this would be “one of the biggest tax increases we’ve ever seen in the state of Missouri.”

“We’ve seen it in the past where we have massive tax increases, where we pay for it from our area, and then all the infrastructure goes to the (big) cities,” Bailey said.

The two also agreed on a few issues during Tuesday’s forum.

Both took the same stance on the Amendment 1 proposal, which will also appear on the ballot during the upcoming primary election. The “Right to Farm” amendment asked voters to give state citizen’s the right to “to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices.”

“It’s good for our farmers. We need to protect our farmers. Agriculture is one of our biggest biggest industries in Missouri, and we need to keep it that way,” Bailey said.

“That’s something that everybody else needs to consider, whatever they think is the right way to do it. I’m not going to tell people what to do once they get the opportunity,” Walker said.

The forum’s final question asked candidates to describe something they respect in their opponent.

Bailey answered first, pausing for at least 20 seconds before stating Walker has always been courteous in their personal interactions.

Walker said he respected Bailey’s effort in the campaign, saying he’s given the incumbent a strong challenge.